Apply for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver licence

New driver licence applications

Step 1 - Check the criteria and obtain certificates for courses and tests

Before you submit your application to the Oxford City Council, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Hold a UK (EU) DVLA Licence for two years minimum
  2. Have five (5) years of UK address history. If less, you will need to provide a Certificate of a Good Conduct from your home country
  3. Have a Right to Work in the UK

You need to have completed the following courses and obtain these Certificates:

Please, take a clear scan or photograph of each page or each certificate, ready to upload it when you start your online application at the bottom of this page:

  1. Apply online for your enhanced DBS certificate with Taxi Plus – Please visit https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/councils/oxford-city-council to apply for your DBS certificate online. You will be able to create your individual account and make payment here.
  2. Certificate of English Language Competency (written and spoken).  This needs to be Entry Level 2 or above – check if unsure
  3. Local Knowledge and Safeguarding Course - provided by Oxford City Council, call 01865 252 565 to book the test (£78).  This test can be booked and completed at any time before submitting your full online application to the Council
  4. Safeguarding and Disability Awareness Training - provided by Oxfordshire County Council, to book go to you will find the information under District Council Drivers Section (the £55 fee is paid directly to the County Council)
  5. Driver Assessment for Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (practical driving) - Provided by Oxford Direct Services (ODS), Cowley Marsh, to book the assessment call 01865 252944 (£69 fee paid directly to the ODS)
  6. Medical Certification Report - This Medical form must be completed by your GP / Doctor.  ALL questions on the form must be answered and there is usually a fee. A Medical Certificate is valid for 4 months from the issue date until a valid application is submitted to the Council.

Step 2 - DBS Certificate & Online Update Service

To apply online for the enhanced DBS certificate, please visit the Taxi Plus website https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/councils/oxford-city-council where you will be able to apply for the DBS online, by creating your own account and making payment. If you have questions on how to apply or need support whilst completing the application you can contact TaxiPlus directly on TaxiPlus: Online chat:  https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/help/ email: hello@taxiplus.co.uk  Telephone: 01254 355696

The DBS Certificate will arrive at your home address only.  The Council do not get a copy. Once you have reviewed the DBS Certificate, you need to complete the following:

  1. Register for the online DBS Update Service here using your certificate number: DBS Update Service. You must do this within 30 days of the issued certificate date (printed on your certificate)

*NOTE: You can subscribe for the online DBS Update Service https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service as soon as you submit your online DBS application via TaxiPlus. You will need the DBS application reference number to subscribe, as soon as the Certificate is issued by the DBS, your online subscription will become live.

  1. Upload a clear scan or photograph of your full DBS Certificate (front and back even if it is blank) as part of the online application in Step 4.

Step 3 - Prepare your documents & Online Check / Share Codes

Have all the documents listed below ready and take a clear scan or photograph of each document (as instructed) on your device, ready to upload when completing your online application at the bottom of this page:

  1. DVLA Driving Licence (front and back)
  2. Proof of Right to Work in the UK (unrestricted) – usually passport or share code (if applicable)
  3. Proof of current address (page 17 of the Driver Application Terms and Conditions for more information on what document can be accepted)
  4. One passport sized/style photograph

When completing the online application, you will be required to provide an on-line Check / Share codes for the following types of checks (you can get them ready now and enter onto the online form, web links below)

  • The DVLA Check Code – you must generate an online share code but DO NOT run the check.  The check must be done by a Council officer.  If you run the check by mistake you will need to generate another online share code.

View or share your driving licence information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  • The HMRC Tax Check Code – you must generate an online share code if you have carried a similar licenced activity previously. If not, you will be able to declare that on the online form

Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  • The Right to Work (RTW) Online Share Code – you must generate an online share code, you do not need the code if you hold a UK and Irish Passports or UK birth certificate

Prove your right to work to an employer: get a share code - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note:

  • Your name must be the one on your passport.
  • The name on your driving licence must match your name on your passport.  If your names don’t match you must update these documents.
  • The address on your driving licence must match the address on your current proof of address document.

Step 4 - Submit the online application to the Council

You are now ready to submit your online application, but before you do, read Step 5 and 6 below.

To start your on-line application, use the button at the bottom of this page. 

You must include / upload ALL the relevant Certificates, Documents listed above.

Once you have successfully submitted your online application, you will receive an automated email response that we have received your application. We will then assess your application. If your application is not complete, we will email you back with the advice on what needs to be corrected or what details or documents you have missed.  If additional documents are required, click this link: Additional Documents

If your application is valid, we will move to the next step.

Step 5 - Payment for your application

Once you have successfully submitted your online application (valid or invalid), you will need to make a payment within 14 days.

You will receive an email with a reference number of your application.  You will need to call the Applications Team on 01865 252115 to make a payment, over the phone via secure line using your Debit/Credit card.

After taking the payment, we will email you the receipt.

If you do not make the payment within 14 days your application will be withdrawn.

Step 6 - Wait for the decision and licence

Once you have submitted the final documents, the final checks will take few days. Please be patient and wait until we contact you. Once the licence is issued, we will email your Paper Licence (counterpart) document first. Your badge will be sent by post and will arrive at your home address later.

Please be aware that this is only a ‘Quick Guide’ to assist on how to apply for a New Hackney Carriage and / or Private Hire Driver Licence and you must refer to the full Driver Application Terms and Conditions to find full details and guidance on all the Licensing criteria and conditions that must be met under ‘Fit and Proper’ person with this Authority.

Apply for your licence

 

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